You’ve been eating corn on the cob wrong. But then, it’s a notoriously difficult vegetable to eat, so it’s no surprise.
But fear not, because expert tutelage on dining etiquette is available courtesy of that Merlin of manners, William Hanson.
Clarifies how to eat corn on the cob in a tiktok video which to date has been viewed three million times.
The central point he makes is that one should not pick up the vegetable with your hands and “nibble on it like a forest bug.”
“Don’t do anything with the beavers, please,” he adds.
Expert tutelage on etiquette when eating corn on the cob is available courtesy of that Merlin of manners, William Hanson.
Instead, Hanson instructs his viewers to hold the corn on top, while it is on a plate, and “gently cut it” with a knife, rotating it as they cut it “until there is nothing left.”
We asked Mr. Hanson what the correct procedure is for eating corn on the cob if a plate and knife are not available. Is the forest bug tactic okay in case of emergency?
He said: ‘In case of emergency, I suppose chewing on a thick cob would be acceptable. But presumably one is at a semi-wild barbecue if there are no plates or cutlery available, in which case formal dining etiquette can be dispensed with.’
Should we apologize if we opt for the forest bug tactic?
“Profusely,” said Mr. Hanson.
Maybe corn on the cob should be served sliced?
Hanson said: “It’s an idea, but perhaps it runs the risk of looking a bit like an unappetizing yellow slab.”
The central point Mr. Hanson makes is that one should not pick up the ear of corn with one’s hands and “gnaw it like a forest bug.” “No action against beavers, please,” he adds.
“It’s probably best to serve sweet corn loose rather than in chunks, if you’re determined to serve it.”
Is it rude to serve corn on the cob? Considering it’s awkward to eat and a barbecue staple?
Mr Hanson replied: ‘Yes, corn on the cob is not a formal vegetable, so it is not normally served at a formal dinner.
“But it could be served as a novelty act during a casual kitchen dinner for close friends.”
For more information about Mr. Hanson, visit his Tik Tok and Instagram profiles. His new book, Just Good Manners (Penguin Random House), is out September 12, 2024. It is billed as “a witty and authoritative guide to British etiquette,” in which William shares “his definitive guide to how to enchant and delight those.” around you in every situation with idiosyncratic authority.